Apparatus for covering a portion of a road and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for covering a portion of a road including an inflatable member, an inflation mechanism, and an aperture; being circular in shape structured and arranged to cover a portion of the road where a manhole or other opening exists, and configured to protect vehicles that drive over that portion of the road. The inflatable member is configured to be foldable for storage. The inflatable member is made of a fluorescent-colored-material configured to alert a vehicular driver that is approaching the inflatable member, includes highly reflective tape configured to alert a driver that is approaching the inflatable member, and inflatable member is tapered towards a center of the inflatable member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/400,595 filed Sep. 27, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of road apparatuses of existing art and more specifically relates to elevation and level adjustment devices.

RELATED ART

Generally, a manhole (e.g., utility opening, cable vault, maintenance hole, inspection chamber, access chamber, sewer opening, confined space, etc.) is the upper-most opening to an underground vault or structure used to provide a worker and/or equipment access point for making various repairs, installations, inspections, or similar work. In most cases, manhole closings are protected by a manhole cover, generally a flat cast-iron lid designed to prevent accidental/unauthorized access to the manhole.

Most generally, manhole lids and surfaces are constructed and engineered to be level/parallel to a final road surface. In instances where the manhole lid is constructed prior to the final road surface, the manhole lid may protrude above the existing grade until final paving is complete. Also, during road rehabilitation, the manhole lid and top frame may protrude for a period of time between the initial and final rehabilitation of the road. In both such instances, the manhole lid and top frame may provide a safety hazard to vehicles traveling upon the road under construction and there may be a grade differential between the road surface and the manhole. Therefore a suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,188 to Timothy K. Shaftner relates to a ramp for temporarily elevated utility access hole. The described ramp for temporarily elevated utility access hole includes a protective ramp for placement around a temporarily elevated underground utility access hole support. The ramp includes a ramp member having a top surface and an obverse bottom surface, and an opening, usually centrally disposed, of a size to be placed in closely surrounding position around a predetermined size access hole support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known road elevation and level adjustment apparatus art, the present disclosure provides a novel apparatus for covering a portion of a road. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an apparatus for efficiently and effectively covering a portion of a road.

An apparatus for covering a portion of a road is disclosed herein. The apparatus for covering a portion of a road includes an inflatable member, an inflation mechanism, and an aperture, with the inflatable member being preferably circular in shape.

The inflation mechanism is preferably located on a top surface of the inflatable member and is configured to inflate the inflatable member with a predetermined amount of water. The aperture is preferably located on the outermost edge of a circumference of the inflatable member and configured to drain the predetermined amount of water from the apparatus.

The apparatus is structured and arranged to cover a portion of the road and is configured to protect vehicles that drive over the portion of the road from damage due to elevation differential between the manhole lid and road surface. The preferred embodiment includes the inflatable member which is reusable and the inflatable member is an inflatable ramp configured to assist the vehicles in driving over manhole covers.

The inflatable member is configured to be foldable for storage, and the inflatable member is preferably made of a durable canvas material. Also, the durable canvas material is configured to house the predetermined amount of water, and the durable canvas material is configured to allow the vehicles to pass over the inflatable member without damaging the durable canvas material.

The inflatable member may be made of a fluorescent-colored-material configured to alert a driver that is approaching the inflatable member, includes highly reflective tape configured to alert a driver that is approaching the inflatable member, and inflatable member is tapered towards a center of the inflatable member.

In the preferred embodiment, the center of the inflatable member is substantially flat, and the inflation mechanism is a valve. The valve is configured to be removably attached to a water source, where the water source is a preferably a hose. The aperture includes a capping element and the capping element is removably coupled to the aperture and configured to seal the aperture.

According to another embodiment, a method of using an apparatus for covering a portion of a road is also disclosed herein. The method of using an apparatus for covering a portion of a road includes a first step, providing an apparatus for covering a portion of a road, the apparatus comprising an inflatable member, an inflation mechanism, and an aperture; a second step, placing the apparatus upon a road surface above an opening in a road surface; a third step, filling the apparatus with a predetermined volume of liquid via the inflation mechanism; a fourth step, draining the liquid from the apparatus via the aperture; and a fifth step, removing the apparatus from the road surface.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an apparatus for covering a portion of a road, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for covering a portion of a road during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus for covering a portion of a road of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus for covering a portion of a road of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of apparatus for covering a portion of a road of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using an apparatus for covering a portion of a road, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to road elevation and level adjustment devices and more particularly to an apparatus for covering a portion of a road as used to improve the safety related to manholes by providing a modular cover system that improves transition from a road surface to the top of a manhole for vehicular traffic.

Generally, the present invention allows vehicles to pass over elevated manhole covers without causing damage (e.g., scraping the underside of the vehicle, etc.) to the vehicle. The present invention provides a temporary, inflatable ramp that allows the vehicle to pass over the top of the manhole without incident. This apparatus reduces the time and effort required to traditionally decrease the gradient between the road surface and the manhole cover during construction and/or road modifications.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of an apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 may be beneficial to provide a easily mobile and transportable device to adjust the gradient between a manhole cover 20 and lid in relation to a road surface during construction. As illustrated, the apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 may include inflatable member 110, inflation mechanism 120, and aperture 130.

According to one embodiment, the apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 such that the apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 can be installed, used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIGS. 1-4 show the apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As above, the apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 may include inflatable member 110, inflation mechanism 120, aperture 130; where apparatus for covering portion of road 100 may be configured to protect vehicles 10 that drive over the portion of the road 15. Apparatus for covering the portion of road 100 may be configured to protect vehicles 10 that drive over the road 15 to prevent damage to vehicle 10, and inflatable member 110 may be an inflatable ramp configured to assist vehicles 10 in driving over manhole covers 20.

In embodiments, inflatable member 110 may be circular in shape and/or reusable. Other shapes may be used (e.g., square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc.) depending upon specific applications of apparatus. Inflation mechanism 120 may be located on a top surface of inflatable member and configured to inflate inflatable member 110 with a predetermined amount of water or other suitable liquid or fluid. Embodiments may also include inflation mechanism 120 location in various positions upon apparatus. Similarly, aperture 130 may be located on an outermost edge of a circumference of inflatable member 110 and configured to drain the predetermined amount of water, or in other locations upon apparatus. Inflatable member 110 may be tapered towards a center of inflatable member 110 and center of inflatable member 110 may be substantially flat, in some embodiments. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other arrangements such as, for example, specifications according to municipal codes and laws, etc., may be sufficient.

Inflatable member 110 may be configured to be foldable for storage and constructed from a durable canvas material. Durable canvas material may be configured to house the predetermined amount of water. Further, durable canvas material may be configured to allow vehicles 10 to pass over inflatable member 110 without damaging durable canvas material. Embodiments of inflatable member 110 may be constructed from a fluorescent-colored-material configured to alert a driver that is approaching inflatable member 110, and/or inflatable member 110 may include highly reflective tape 140 configured to alert a driver that is approaching inflatable member 110.

In some embodiments, inflation mechanism 120 may be, or include valve 136; and valve 136 may be configured to be removably attached to a water source. Water source may include a hose or other suitable water/fluid communication means. Also, aperture 130 may further include capping element 138, and capping element 138 may be removably coupled to aperture 130 and configured to seal aperture 130.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using 500 an apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of using 500 an apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 may include one or more components or features of the apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 as described above. As illustrated, method of using 500 an apparatus for covering a portion of a road 100 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing apparatus for covering a portion of road 100, apparatus 100 comprising inflatable member 110, inflation mechanism 120, and aperture 130; step two 502, placing apparatus 100 upon road 15 surface above an opening in a road 15 surface; step three 503, filling apparatus 100 with a predetermined volume of liquid via inflation mechanism 120; step four 504, draining the liquid from apparatus 100 via aperture 130; and step five 505, removing apparatus 100 from road 15 surface.

It should be noted that step four 504 and step five 505 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of using an apparatus for covering a portion of a road [NOTE: e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.], are taught herein. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of road construction and demolition as described herein, methods of construction will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An apparatus for covering a portion of a road, said apparatus comprising: an inflatable member, said inflatable member being circular in shape; an inflation mechanism, said inflation mechanism being located on a top surface of said inflatable member and configured to inflate said inflatable member with a predetermined amount of water; an aperture, said aperture being located on an outermost edge of a circumference of said inflatable member and configured to drain said predetermined amount of water; and wherein said apparatus for covering said portion of said road is configured to protect vehicles that drive over said portion of said road.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable member is reusable.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable member is an inflatable ramp configured to assist said vehicles in driving over manhole covers.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable member is configured to be foldable for storage.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable member is made of a durable canvas material.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said durable canvas material is configured to house said predetermined amount of water.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said durable canvas material is configured to allow said vehicles to pass over said inflatable member without damaging said durable canvas material.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable member is made of a fluorescent-colored-material configured to alert a driver that is approaching said inflatable member.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable member includes highly reflective tape configured to alert a driver that is approaching said inflatable member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable member is tapered towards a center of said inflatable member.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said center of said inflatable member is substantially flat.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflation mechanism is a valve.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said valve is configured to be removably attached to a water source.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said water source is a hose.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said aperture further includes a capping element.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said capping element is removably coupled to said aperture and configured to seal the aperture.
 17. An apparatus for covering a portion of a road, said apparatus comprising: an inflatable member, said inflatable member being circular in shape; an inflation mechanism, said inflation mechanism being located on a top surface of said inflatable member and configured to inflate said inflatable member with a predetermined amount of water; an aperture, said aperture being located on an outermost edge of a circumference of said inflatable member and configured to drain said predetermined amount of water; wherein said apparatus for covering said portion of said road is configured to protect vehicles that drive over said portion of said road; wherein said inflatable member is reusable; wherein said inflatable member is an inflatable ramp configured to assist said vehicles in driving over manhole covers; wherein said inflatable member is configured to be foldable for storage; wherein said inflatable member is made of a durable canvas material; wherein said durable canvas material is configured to house said predetermined amount of water; wherein said durable canvas material is configured to allow said vehicles to pass over said inflatable member without damaging said durable canvas material; wherein said inflatable member is made of a fluorescent-colored-material configured to alert a driver that is approaching said inflatable member; wherein said inflatable member includes highly reflective tape configured to alert a driver that is approaching said inflatable member; wherein said inflatable member is tapered towards a center of said inflatable member; wherein said center of said inflatable member is substantially flat; wherein said inflation mechanism is a valve; wherein said valve is configured to be removably attached to a water source; wherein said water source is a hose; wherein said aperture further includes a capping element; and wherein said capping element is removably coupled to said aperture and configured to seal the aperture.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the apparatus is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of using an apparatus for covering a portion of a road, the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus for covering a portion of a road, said apparatus comprising an inflatable member, an inflation mechanism, and an aperture; placing said apparatus upon a road surface above an opening in a road surface; and filling said apparatus with a predetermined volume of liquid via said inflation mechanism.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: draining said liquid from said apparatus via said aperture; and removing said apparatus from said road surface. 